2-54 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



diminished ; and during the winter rest should be promoted by keeping the bouse 

 as cool and dry as is consistent with safety. It is bad policy to expose ferns to 

 hardships, such as deferring the lighting of a fire until the fronds are actually 

 frozen or mildew has marred their beauty, for the next season's growth is jeopar- 

 dized by such treatment, and some valuable plants may be lost entirely. At the 

 same time the cultivator may take comfortable assurance from the fact that the 

 majority of this class of plants are exceedingly accommodating ; they will at times 

 bear without material injury more damp, more draught, more sunshine, and lower 

 degrees of temperature than a prudent adviser on their cultivation would dare to 

 recommend as good for them. Fully half of the whole number of stove ferns known 

 to cultivators have been well grown in greenhouse temperature, and a very large 

 proportion of greenhouse ferns, properly so-called, have been grown to perfection 

 without any aid from artificial heat, in our own garden. Our large specimens of 

 Adiantum cuneatum, Asplenium biformis, ISlechnum brasiliense, etc., etc., that we 

 nave exhibited in public, have never known a taste of artificial heat from the time 

 when they started from spores under bell-glasses until they attained their present 

 dimensions of a yard or so across." 



TO CO-RESPONDENTS. 



Propagating Pansies. — William G., Yorkshire. Tes, these flowers can be 

 increased either by cuttings or seed ; but it depends upon circumstances as to which 

 is the best way. If you desire to raise new varieties, you must sow seed, but if you 

 simply wish to perpetuate existing kinds you must propigate them by cuttings. 

 Where there are no plants to cut from, seed affords the cheapest means of getting up 

 a stock. But if ycu raise seedlings you must not expect to have many equal to the 

 named varieties, for it frequently happens that the raisers have only one or two 

 worth naming out of several thousands. Sow the seed rather thinly in a shallow 

 box or pan, and place in a cold frame or cover with a piece of glass. When large 

 enough to handle, prick out, three inches apart, into a bed slightly raised above 

 the general level and in a sheltered corner, where the slugs are not likely to get at 

 them. Here they are to remain until they flower, and then you can pull up and 

 destroy the worthless varieties, and propagate the others by means of cuttings. 

 Short-jointed, solid side shoots must be selected for cuttings. The main stems 

 which have been producing flowers all the summer are practically worthless, for 

 they are now hollow, and if they do produce roots they will not make such good 

 plants as short, stubby side shoots. Cuttiugs can be struck in boxes or pans, 

 placed in a cold frame and shaded, or in the open border, and covered with a hand- 

 glass. They will also strike with tolerable freedom in the open border, if shaded 

 with a few branches of evergreens stuck amongst them. When rooted, plant out 

 in beds about a foot from plant to plant, and see that the slugs are not allowed to 

 feast upon them. They should have a nice light and rich soil, with which a 

 liberal proportion of manure and leaf-mould has been incorporated. Growing them 

 in pots is an interesting mode, and simple if you go the right way to work. Pot 

 them firmly in five or six-inch pots, well drained, and use a compost made up 

 with two-thirds loam and one-third decayed cow-dung and leaf-mould, and a 

 sprinkling of river sand. Give plenty of air and merely protect from very sharp 

 frost or heavy rains. A reference to page 107 of the " Garden Oracle " for 1869 

 will give you the desired information respecting the best varieties to purchase. 



Packing Seeds, Bulbs, Etc., for Export. — In answer to your inquiries for a 

 seedsman who would be willing to help a " Queensland Subscriber," we shall be 

 most happy to treat with you on the subject. We consider the safest way to pack 

 seeds, etc., for the Colonies, etc., is to enclose a little dry powdered charcoal in 

 each packet, the whole parcel to be enclosed in a tin case hermetically sealed. — 

 Dick Radclyffe & Co., 129 High Hoiborn. 



The Tallow Tree of China. — Inquirer. — The tree you inquire about is 

 Siillingia tebefera, which is cultivated in immense quantities in the provinces of 

 C'hechkiang, Kiangsi, and Kongnain, for the fatty matter obtained from the seeds. 



